Thermal Decomposition and Auto-ignition of Finite Thick PMMA in Forced Convective Airflow

Yu Jiang, Chunjie Zhai, Junhui Gong

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

An experimental apparatus consisting of a heating unit and a wind duct capable of flexibly adjusting radiation power and forced airflow velocity was used in this work to examine the heat transfer and thermal decomposition in condensed phase, mass diffusion of pyrolyzate in boundary layer in gas and the consequent ignition behaviors of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) in forced airflow condition. Constant heat flux (HF) was employed and spontaneous ignition was studied. Finite thick, 3, 6 and 10 mm, 5 cm squared samples and six sets of airflow velocities 0 to 1.2 m/s were selected in the tests. Surface temperature and ignition time under the designed conditions were collected and compared with corresponding numerical simulation results, performed by ANSYS fluid dynamics simulator, which consider thermal decomposition in solid and thermal insulation layer. The results shown that the ignition temperature of PMMA is positively correlated with increasing airflow velocity, indicating the critical temperature is not a reliable ignition criterion in these scenarios. The airflow velocity has little effect on surface temperature. For airflow velocities larger than 0.4 m/s, the ignition time increases significantly with the increase of airflow velocity and sample thickness. While for 0.4 m/s airflow velocity, the ignition temperature is lowered and the ignition time is shortened.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 9th International Conference on Fire Science and Fire Protection Engineering, ICFSFPE 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728153223
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2019
Event9th International Conference on Fire Science and Fire Protection Engineering, ICFSFPE 2019 - Chengdu, China
Duration: 18 Oct 201920 Oct 2019

Publication series

Name2019 9th International Conference on Fire Science and Fire Protection Engineering, ICFSFPE 2019

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Fire Science and Fire Protection Engineering, ICFSFPE 2019
Country/TerritoryChina
CityChengdu
Period18/10/1920/10/19

Keywords

  • ANSYS
  • PMMA
  • forced convection airflow
  • ignition time
  • surface temperature

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